Cable Label Forming Apparatus, Tape Printing Apparatus, Method of Forming Cable Label for Cable Label Forming Apparatus and Program

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is a cable label forming apparatus having an edit screen display device, a selection candidate display instructing device, and a selection candidate display device. The selection candidate display device displays a last selected candidate among the plurality of selection candidates on a priority basis in a normal edit screen when displaying the plurality of selection candidates is instructed, and displays a specific candidate among the plurality of selection candidates on a priority basis in a cable label forming edit screen when displaying the plurality of selection candidates is instructed.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-062087,filed Mar. 12, 2008, is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cable label forming apparatus whichdisplays a plurality of select candidates on a screen and uses one ofthe plurality of selection candidates in an edit process, a tapeprinting apparatus, a method of forming a cable label for a cable labelforming apparatus and a program.

2. Related Art

In a cable label forming apparatus and the like, a priority displaymethod is known. In the method, a last selected candidate is displayedpreferentially on a top part or highlighted when a select screen forselecting one of a plurality of selection candidates is displayed. Forexample, in a tape printing apparatus disclosed in a manual of “TEPRA”PRO SR930, December 2005, first edition, page 42, when an item “symbol”is selected, a plurality of symbol menus are displayed on the screen. Inthis case, a menu of the symbol and the symbol once selected aredisplayed preferentially on the first list (on the top part) in a nextoperation (a learning function). In general, as the candidate onceselected and candidates around thereof has high possibility to beselected continuously, it is convenient to have the function by whichthe last selected candidate is stored and used for a next prioritycandidate display. Especially, in a case that a number of candidatesexist or the display screen is small, it is necessary to visually checkselected candidates which are not displayed on the screen by moving acursor. Therefore, the priority display for displaying the last selectedcandidate which has high possibility to be selected is very effective.

On the other hand, in some cases, the priority display for displayingthe last selected candidate is not necessarily effective depending onedit content or select content. For example, in a case that a cablelabel attached on a cable is formed, the label is usually printed withdate, a production number and an identification number of an electronicdevice. It is desirable to display preferentially a “two-digit number (afunction capable of dealing two-digit number as one character)”regardless of the last selected candidate, when the “two-digit number”is included in selection candidates in the item “symbol”. However, inthe related cable label forming apparatus or the tape printingapparatus, priority display types (the priority display which displaysthe last selected candidate and the other priority display whichdisplays a specific selection candidate) are not set adequately based onthe edit content, thereby it sometimes takes time to select thecandidate.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that there is provideda cable label forming apparatus, a tape printing apparatus, a method offorming a cable label for a cable label forming apparatus and a programfor enhancing convenience for a user's operation when one of a pluralityof candidates is selected for editing.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a cablelabel forming apparatus having an edit screen display device whichdisplays either one of a normal edit screen and a cable label formingedit screen for a label which is adhered to a cable and having an editcondition different from that of the normal edit screen, a selectioncandidate display instructing device which instructs displaying aplurality of selection candidates for performing at least one of afunction selection and an input information selection in each of theedit screens and a selection candidate display device which displays theplurality of selection candidates according to the instruction of theselection candidate display instructing device. The selection candidatedisplay device displays a last selected candidate among the plurality ofselection candidates on a priority basis in the normal edit screen whendisplaying the plurality of selection candidates is instructed, anddisplays a specific candidate among the plurality of selectioncandidates on a priority basis in the cable label forming edit screenwhen displaying the plurality of selection candidates is instructed.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a cablelabel forming method for a cable label forming apparatus displaying atleast two types of edit screens having different edit conditions, thecable label forming method executing edit screen setting which setseither one of the two types of edit screens, and selection candidatedisplaying which displays a plurality of selection candidates forperforming at least one of a function selection and an input informationselection in each of the edit screens. A last selected candidate isdisplayed on a priority basis among the plurality of selectioncandidates when the plurality of selection candidates are displayed inone of the two types of the edit screens, and a specific candidate isdisplayed on a priority basis among the plurality of selectioncandidates when the plurality of selection candidates are displayed inthe other of the two types of the edit screens in the selectioncandidate displaying.

With these configurations, it is possible to determine which candidateis displayed on a priority basis which is a last selected candidate or aspecific candidate among a plurality of selection candidates accordingto edit screens having different edit conditions. Therefore, it ispossible to enhance convenience for a user's operation when one of theplurality of selection candidates is selected for edition. In short, ina case such that making a document for printing a cable label, aselection candidate “two-digit number” (the specific selectioncandidate) is displayed on a priority basis in an edit screen (the cablelabel forming edit screen) in which the “two-digit number” is processedfrequently when a display instruction for a symbol menu. The lastselected candidate is displayed on a priority basis in a normal editscreen because there is a high possibility that the once selectedcandidate or a candidate around the selected candidate is generallyselected. Thus, an adequate selection candidate is displayed on apriority basis according to edit content. Therefore, it does not taketime when a desired candidate is selected among the plurality ofselection candidates because the adequate selection candidate isdisplayed on a priority basis according to the edit content.

In this case, it is preferable that a priority display type settingdevice which sets either one of a priority display fixed type displayingthe specific candidate among the plurality of selection candidates on apriority basis and a priority display variable type displaying the lastselected candidate among the plurality of selection candidates on apriority basis in each of the edit screens is further provided. Theselection candidate display device displays on a priority basis based ona setting of the priority display type setting device when the pluralityof selection candidates are displayed in a case that the prioritydisplay type setting device is set.

With this configuration, it is possible to set the priority display typeper edit screen according to a use's needs (preference or usageenvironment). Note that, in a state where the priority display typesetting device is not set (a default setting state), the last selectedcandidate is displayed on a priority basis when the plurality ofselection candidates are displayed in the normal edit screen, and thespecific candidate is displayed on a priority basis when the pluralityof selection candidates are displayed in the cable label forming editscreen.

In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of selectioncandidates are prepared by item, the selection candidate displayinstructing device is capable of instructing to display the plurality ofselection candidates by designating either one of items, and thepriority display type setting device sets the priority display fixedtype or the priority display variable type by item.

With this configuration, in a case that there are a plurality of itemsin which the plurality of selection candidates can be displayed in eachof the edit screens, it is possible to set the priority display fixedtype or the priority display variable type by these items. Thus, moredetailed priority display settings are made in accordance with theuser's needs.

In this case, it is preferable that the priority display type settingdevice further sets the specific candidate in a case that the prioritydisplay fixed type is set.

With this configuration, it is possible to set the specific candidate tobe displayed on a priority basis. Thus, more detailed priority displaysettings are made in accordance with the user's needs.

In this case, it is preferable that the selection candidate displayinstructing device is capable of instructing to display a plurality oflower selection candidates as a lower hierarchy corresponding to theselected candidate by a selection operation in which one of candidatesis selected among the plurality of selection candidates, and theselection candidate display device displays the last selected candidateon a priority basis for the plurality of lower selection candidatesregardless of the priority display type of the edit screen with whichdisplay instruction for the plurality of selection candidates is made.

With this configuration, the last selected candidate is displayed on apriority basis for lower selection candidates in a lower hierarchyregardless of an edit screen to be instructed to display the pluralityof selection candidates or the priority display type of respectiveitems, leading detailed settings being unnecessary. Consequently,operations are easily understood by setting lower selection candidatesin the priority display variable type equally.

Note that the priority display in the lower selection candidates definedhere is directed to a priority display method at least in a defaultsetting state as same as the priority display for the above plurality ofpriority candidates. It may be possible to have a configuration in whichthe priority display fixed type or the priority display variable typecan be set by edit screen and/or by item in terms of the lower selectioncandidates.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a tapeprinting apparatus having each of devices in the cable label formingapparatus described above, a print data generating device whichgenerates a print data based on an edit result in each of edit screens,and a print device which prints the print data on a tape.

With this configuration, it is possible to enhance convenience for auser's selection operations when a print data printed on a tape isedited.

In this case, it is preferable that the cable label forming edit screenis used for forming a cable label adhered to a cable, the plurality ofselection candidates are symbol menus of a plurality of types, and thatthe specific candidate is a candidate which is used for inputtingtwo-digit number capable of processing two-digit number as onecharacter.

With this configuration, in a case that a cable label is formed, it ispossible to enhance the user's convenience by display the specificcandidate “two-digit number” on a priority basis in an edit screen forforming the cable label because the “two-digit number” in a symbol menuis apt to be used.

Note that the “label” is formed by printing on the tape and by cuttingoff a printed portion thereof. A cutting-off device mounted on the tapeprinting apparatus may be used for cutting off the tape or the user mayuse scissors.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a programwhich causes a computer to function as respective steps in the cablelabel forming method for the cable label forming apparatus describedabove.

With this configuration, it is possible to enhance the user's operationwhen one of the plurality of selection candidates in the cable labelforming apparatus is selected for edition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape printing apparatus having itscover opened.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the tape printing apparatus.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show attaching example of a cable label.

FIG. 4 is a table of selection candidates for an edit function.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method of operation in which two-digitnumber is input in a normal edit mode and a cable edit mode.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a prepared cable label as an example.

FIG. 7 is a table of selection candidates for an environment setfunction.

FIG. 8 is screen transition diagram showing a method of operation when apriority display setting in the environment set function is set.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying drawings, one embodiment of theinvention will be described below in detail. In this embodiment, a tapeprinting apparatus is exemplified which performs series of processesfrom information input to printing on a tape-like medium as anelectronic apparatus applied with a cable label forming apparatus.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printing apparatus 1according to the embodiment in a state that an opening and closing cover21 thereof is opened. As shown in FIG. 1, an external shape of the tapeprinting apparatus 1 is formed by a printer case 2. In an upper frontportion of the printer case 2, a keyboard 3 including various input keysis disposed. In a left side of an upper rear portion thereof, theopening and closing cover 21 is provided and in a right side thereof, adisplay screen 41 is provided. Inside the opening and closing cover 21,a cartridge mounting section 6 for mounting a tape cartridge C is formedin a hollow shape. The tape cartridge C is detachably mounted in thecartridge mounting section 6 with a state in which the opening andclosing cover 21 is opened. Moreover, on the opening and closing window21, there is formed an observation window 21 a for viewing the mountingand non-mounting of the tape cartridge C in a state that the opening andclosing cover 21 is closed.

On the keyboard 3, a character key group 3 a and a function key group 3b for designating various operating modes and the like are arranged. Thecharacter key group 3 a has a full key arrangement based on JapaneseIndustrial Standards (JIS) sequence and includes a shift key forsuppressing increase in the number of keys to be operated, similar to ageneral word processor or the like. Moreover, the function key group 3 bincludes: a cable key 31, an edit item key group 32, an environment key33, a print key 34, cursor keys 35 and a return key 36.

The cable key 31 is used for switching a normal edit mode for a normaledit and the other edit mode, a cable edit mode in which a label L(referred as a “cable label L” hereinafter) to be adhered to a cable ora cord is formed. An edit screen to be displayed in the normal edit modeis referred to a “normal edit screen 41 a” and the other edit screen tobe displayed in the cable edit mode is referred to a “cable edit screen41 b” (the cable label forming edit screen) (see FIG. 2).

The edit item key group 32 is used for selecting one of the editfunctions and includes a symbol A key 32 a, a symbol B key 32 b, and abar code key 32 c (see FIG. 2). Edit functions shown in FIG. 4 can beselected by depressing one of these keys. The environment key 33 is usedfor setting an environment and can select environment set functionsshown in FIG. 7. The print key 34 is used for instructing printingexecution. The cursor keys 35 include an up (↑)/a down (↓)/a left (←)/aright (→) keys and are used for a cursor movement and a scrolloperation. The return key 36 is used for selecting a selection candidate(an alternative) and for determining which operation should be operated.

The display screen 41 is a liquid crystal display and is used by theuser when the edit result based on an input information input with thekey board 3 by the user and print data or the like generated based onthe edit result are checked. In this embodiment, the display screen 41has a size of two lines in a vertical direction and seven characters ina horizontal direction (see FIG. 8).

At a left side of the printer case 2, a tape ejecting slot 22 is formedwhich communicates the cartridge mounting section 6 with outside. A tapecutter 23 for cutting off a transmitted print tape T faces to the tapeejecting slot 22. A predetermined length of the printed print tape T istransmitted from the tape ejecting slot 22 and the printed print tape Tis cut off with the tape cutter 23 in a state that the transmission isin halt, thereby a label L in a strip form (see FIG. 6) is formed. Notethat, in terms of the cutting off process, an auto cut mode and a manualcut mode can be used switchably. A cutter motor 25 (see FIG. 2) isdriven in the auto cut mode for a fixed length printing, and in themanual cut mode for an arbitrary length printing by the user's operationof a cut key.

On the other hand, the cartridge mounting section 6 has a head unit 61having a thermal type print head 7 in a head cover 61 a, a platen driveshaft 62 facing to the print head 7, a take-up drive shaft 63 for takingup a later described ink ribbon R, and a positioning boss 64 for a laterdescribed tape reel 17. At a lower side of the cartridge mountingsection 6, a tape feeding motor 26 (see FIG. 2) rotating the platendrive shaft 62 and the take-up drive shaft 63 is provided.

The tape cartridge C has a tape reel 17 wound with the print tape Thaving a given width (about 4.5 mm-48 mm) at an upper center portioninside the cartridge case 51, and a ribbon reel 19 wound with the inkribbon R at a right lower portion thereof. The print tape T and the inkribbon R have the same width. A through opening 55 is formed in which ahead cover 61 a covering the head unit 61 is inserted at a left lowerportion of the tape reel 17. The through opening 55 is inserted on thehead unit 61, and in a portion where the print tape T and the ink ribbonR are overlapped with each other, a platen roller 53 which is insertedon the platen drive shaft 62 to be rotatably driven is provided. On theother hand, a ribbon take-up reel 54 is arranged in conjunction with theribbon reel 19. The ink ribbon R paid out from the ribbon reel 19 isarranged so as to surround the head cover 61 a and to be wound up on theribbon take-up reel 54.

When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting section6, the through opening 55 is inserted on the head cover 61 a, the centerhole of the tape reel 17 is inserted on the positioning boss 64, and thecenter hole of the ribbon take-up reel 54 is inserted on the take-updrive shaft 63, respectively. The print head 7 comes in contact with theplaten roller 53 to sandwich the print tape T and the ink ribbon R,leading to be capable of printing. Then, the user inputs a desired text(a character, a number, a symbol, a character of a simplified graphic orthe like) or an image with the key board 3 while checking the editresult displayed on the display screen 41. When the user instruct toprint, the tape printing apparatus 1 pays out the print tape T from thetape cartridge C with the tape feed motor 26 and prints as the userwishes on the print tape T by heating heater elements of the print head7 selectively. A printed portion of the print tape T is transmitted tooutside via the tape ejecting slot 22 as needed. After completion ofprinting, the tape feed motor 26 transmits the print tape T to aposition of a tape length including a margin and stops the transmission(then, the cutting off process is performed).

The print tape T has a record tape Ta formed with an adhesive layer onthe back side thereof and a peel tape Tb adhered to the record tape Taby the adhesive layer. The print tape T is contained in the cartridgecase 51 in a state that the print tape T is wound in a roll fashionhaving the record tape Ta outwardly and the peel tape Tb inwardly.Various types (a tape width, a base color, a background image, material(texture) and the like) of print tapes T are prepared, and each of thecartridge cases 51 includes one type of the print tapes T (and thecorresponding ink ribbon R). At a rear side of the cartridge case 51, aplurality of holes (not shown) are formed specifying the type of thetape cartridge C. A plurality of tape discriminating sensors (forinstance, micro switches) 27 (see FIG. 2) for detecting the holes areprovided in the cartridge mounting section 6 corresponding to theplurality of holes. It is possible to discriminate the tape type bydetecting a state of the plurality of holes with the tape discriminatingsensors 27.

A control structure of the tape printing apparatus 1 will be describedwith reference to a control block diagram shown in FIG. 2. The tapeprinting apparatus 1 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a RAM(Random Access Memory) 120, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 130, the displayscreen 41, the key board 3, the cutter motor 25, the tape cutter 23, thetape feeding motor 26, the print head 7 and the tape discriminatingsensors 27. The CPU 110 is connected to the ROM 130, the display screen41, the key board 3, the cutter motor 25, the tape feeding motor 26, theprint head 7 and the tape discriminating sensors 27 via a bus 140.

The RAM 120 is directly connected to the CPU 110 and is used as a workarea when the CPU 110 performs various controls. The RAM 120 has a lastselected candidate store region 121 which stores a candidate previouslyselected (referred as a “last selected candidate”) among the pluralityof selection candidates for selecting various edit functions. The lastselected candidate store region 121 stores the last selected candidateper the edit item and per selection candidate group (a plurality ofselection candidates) included in each of the edit items. As each of theselection candidate groups has a hierarchy structure (see FIG. 4),regarding the edit item “symbol A” for example, last selected candidatesare stored for a selected candidate group in the first hierarchybelonging to the “symbol A” (a symbol menu) and for a selected candidategroup in the second hierarchy belonging to the first hierarchy of“Europe”, respectively. Last selected candidates are stored for each ofthe select items other than “Europe” in the first hierarchy.

The ROM 130 stores a control program and a control data with which theCPU 110 can perform various controls. More specifically, a displaycontrol program for controlling display of the display screen 41, anedit process program for various edit processes, and a print processprogram for printing are included.

The display screen 41 functions as display device for displaying theedit result and a print layout. As described above, either the normaledit screen 41 a or the cable edit screen 41 b is displayed as editscreen (edit screen display device). The cable edit screen 41 b differsfrom the normal edit screen 41 a in that: the number of lines which canbe input (two lines with the tape length of “2.6 cm”, four lines withthe tape length of “5.0 cm”, etc) and the number of characters (fourcharacters in full size with the print tape T of 4 mm tape width, etc)are limited; fonts, decorations, font types, character direction(vertical writing/horizontal writing) are fixed and can not be changed;and the “bar code” (see FIG. 4) as edit item can not be selected.

The key board 3 functions as information input device for inputtingvarious data and as assigning/setting device for various assigning andsettings. The key board 3 has the symbol A key 32 a, the symbol B key 32b and the bar code key 32 c as edit item key group 32 (selectioncandidate display instructing device) as described above.

The cutter motor 25 is connected to the tape cutter 23 and functions ascutting-off device. The tape feeding motor 26 and the print head 7function as print device for printing on the print tape T. As describedabove, the print head 7 and the tape discriminating sensors 27 areprovide on the cartridge mounting section 6, and the tape discriminatingsensors 27 detect the type of the print tape T contained in the tapecartridge C. The CPU 110 determines whether the mounted tape cartridge C(the tape width and the material of the print tape T contained in thetape cartridge C, etc) is appropriate for forming the cable label L, andcontrols to limit the number of lines and characters to be input astext, and the like. The CPU 110 also controls a display process of thedisplay screen 41 and a generate process of print data (a print datagenerating device), and performs drive control for a printing action anda cut off action.

Further, the CPU 110 performs a priority display control which displayspreferentially one of the candidates among the selection candidate groupdisplayed by depressing the edit item key 32 a, 32 b or 32 c (aselection candidate display device). Note that the “priority display”means that the candidate among the selection candidate group isdisplayed preferentially first (on the top rank) in order as candidatewhich can be selected first, or is highlighted (highlighted displayshown in D12 or blink display shown in D13 in FIG. 8). All candidates ofthe selection candidate group may be displayed on a same screen, or oneof the selection candidates may be displayed on a screen and may bechanged sequentially with the operation of the cursor keys 35 shown inD12 in FIG. 8.

For example, the CPU 110 displays preferentially the last selectedcandidate among the selection candidate group in the first hierarchyregardless of the type of the edit item key (the symbol A key 32 a, thesymbol B key 32 b and the bar code key 32 c) when one of the edit itemkey group 32 is depressed with a state that the normal edit screen 41 ais being displayed. In this case, the CPU 110 determines which candidateshould be preferentially displayed by referencing the last selectedcandidate store region 121 in the RAM 120. On the other hand, when thesymbol B key 32 b is depressed in a state that the cable edit screen 41b is being displayed, a candidate “two-digit number” is preferentiallydisplayed among the selection candidate group of the first hierarchyregardless which candidate was previously selected. Thus, the CPU 110changes a priority display type (a method of determining the candidatewhich is a target for the priority display) whether the last selected orthe specific candidate should be preferentially displayed according tothe type of the edit screen or edit content. In other words, the usercan quickly operate to select a desired candidate among the plurality ofselection candidates because an appropriate selection candidate suitedfor the edit content, etc is displayed preferentially. The abovepriority display control is a control in a default setting (an initialvalue) state. A specific candidate to be the priority display candidateand the priority display type may be changed by the user's setting (apriority display type setting device), which is described later.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an adhesion example of the cable label Lformed with the cable edit screen 41 b will be explained. As shown inFIG. 3A, on the cable label L, several lines with character stringsalong a width direction as line direction are printed in a horizontalwriting. The cable label L is used to be wound up on an attached object200 such as a power code or the like. When the cable label L is wound upon the attached object 200, the peel tape Tb is peeled off, and therecord tape Ta is turned to an obverse side. Then as shown in FIG. 3B, atip portion of the record tape Ta is adhered once on the attached object200, a rear end portion of the record tape Ta is held with fingers, andthe record tape Ta is adhered on the attached object 200 to surroundtherearound (along an arrow direction in FIG. 3B).

Referring to a table shown in FIG. 4, the selection candidates in theedit function will be described. As above, in the edit items “symbol A”,“symbol B” and “bar code”, the selection candidate group of the firsthierarchy belonging thereto can be displayed on the display screen 41when the symbol A key 32 a, the symbol B key 32 b and the bar code key32 c are depressed, respectively. In the normal edit mode (the normaledit screen 41 a), all of these edit items can be selected, whereas, inthe cable edit mode (the cable edit screen 41 b), the edit item “barcode” can not be selected. Each of the selection candidate groups(including lower hierarchies below the first hierarchy) is displayedcyclically (cyclic display) by the operation with the cursor keys 35.

For example, in the selection candidate group (“Europe”, “Greek”, etc)of the first hierarchy belonging to the edit item “symbol A”, aselection candidate group of the lower hierarchy belonging to each ofthe candidates can be displayed on the display screen 41 by selectingone of the candidates belonging to the first hierarchy. As for the edititem “symbol A”, the second hierarchy is final. When the candidate inthe final hierarchy is selected, the edit screen is displayed. The edititem “symbol A” is set as default such that the last selected candidatesin all of the selection candidate groups are displayed preferentiallyregardless of the edit mode and the hierarchy.

When an initialization is performed and thereby the last selectedcandidate does not exist, a default value (“Europe” in the firsthierarchy) on the top rank in each of the selection candidate groups isdisplayed preferentially. A selection candidate “end?” is selected whena select content is reflected in the edit content or the screen isswitched to a select screen of the upper hierarchy, and can not be anobject to be stored in the last selected candidate store region 121 as alast selected candidate. Regarding these (the priority display when thelast selected candidate does not exist and the function of the selectioncandidate “end?”), those of the edit items “symbol B and “bar code” arethe same.

On the other hand, in terms of the edit item “symbol B”, when theselection candidate “two-digit number” of the first hierarchy belongingto the “symbol B” is selected, it is possible to select in the secondand the third hierarchies. A tenths digit of the two-digit number isselected in the second hierarchy, and a ones digit thereof is selectedin the third hierarchy. When the selection candidate group (an“abbreviation”, a “mark”, and the like) belonging to the “symbol B” isdisplayed in the cable edit mode, the “two-digit number” set as specificcandidate in the default setting is displayed preferentially. On theother hand, the last selected candidates are displayed preferentially inthe selection candidate groups of the second and the third hierarchies.When the selection candidate group belonging to the “symbol B” isdisplayed in the normal edit mode, the last selected candidates aredisplayed preferentially. Regarding the selection candidate groups ofthe second hierarchy displayed when selection candidates other than the“two-digit number” belonging to the edit item “symbol B” are selected,the last selected candidates are preferentially displayed regardless ofthe edit mode.

Regarding all of the selection candidates (“CODE 128”, “CODE 39”, etc)belonging to the first hierarchy in the edit item “bar code”, it ispossible to select in the second through the fourth hierarchies. Anoverall width (a length in a horizontal direction of the bar code) isselected in the second hierarchy, a ratio of thinness/thickness (linewidth of each of lines constituting a bar code) is selected in the thirdhierarchy, and an existence or non-existence of a check digit isselected in the fourth hierarchy, respectively. The edit item “bar code”can be selected only in the normal edit mode, and all of the selectioncandidate groups are set by default so as to display the last selectedcandidates preferentially.

With a flow chart shown in FIG. 5, a select operation for the editfunction will be described. When the symbol B key 32 b is depressed in astate that the normal edit screen 41 a or the cable edit screen 41 b isdisplayed on the display screen 41 (S01), the edit mode at the time isdetected (S02). When the normal edit mode is detected (S02: the normaledit mode), the last selected candidate is displayed preferentiallyamong the first hierarchy selection candidate groups belonging to theedit item “symbol B”. The last selected candidate is read out from thelast selected candidate store region 121. When the initialization isperformed and the last selected candidate in the selection candidategroups belonging to the edit item “symbol B” is not stored, the defaultvalue, the “abbreviation” is displayed preferentially. Then, thecandidate in the first hierarchy of the edit item “symbol B” is selected(S04) by the operation with cursor keys 35 or the return key 36, andselections in the lower hierarchies are performed (S05). After all, thenormal edit screen 41 a is displayed. A stored value of each of theselection candidate groups in the last selected candidate store region121 is updated, with the select operation in S04 and S05.

On the other hand, in S02, when the cable edit mode is detected (S02:the cable edit mode), the “two-digit number” of a specific candidate isdisplayed preferentially among the first hierarchy selection candidategroups belonging to the edit item “symbol B” (S06). So, in a case of thecable edit mode, it is not necessary to refer to the last selectedcandidate stored in the last selected candidate store region 121. Then,a candidate in the first hierarchy of the edit item “symbol B” isselected (S07), selections are made in the lower hierarchies (S08), andthe cable edit screen 41 b is displayed. In a similar fashion as thenormal edit mode, stored values for respective selection candidategroups in the last selected candidate store region 121 are updated withthe select operations in S07 and S08.

Though especially not shown, when the normal edit screen 41 a isswitched to the cable edit screen 41 b and the cable key 31 isdepressed, a cable length set screen is displayed before the cable editscreen 41 b. In the cable length set screen, it is possible to select alength of the cable label L among a plurality of selection candidates(for example, “2.6 cm” and “5.0 cm”). The selection candidate group forthe length of the cable label L shows the last selected candidatepreferentially. The length of the cable label L may be set with anumerical entry in place of selecting from the selection candidategroup.

Referring to FIG. 6, a print example of the cable label L prepared byediting the cable edit screen 41 b will be described. In the exampleshown in FIG. 6, a print result is shown in which “PC01 (all are in fullsize)” is input on the first line and “20070820 (four two-digit number)”is input on the second line. Texts input of the two lines are printed inhorizontal writing and along a tape width direction as a line direction.The rear end portion of the tape is cut off to be adjusted to adesignated tape length. A length La from the top end of the tape to aprint start position is fixed, and a length L0 from the print startposition to a print end position varies depending on the number oflines. A length Lb from the print end position to the rear end of thetape is calculated by “a set tape length−(La+L0)”.

An environment setting (especially, a priority display setting) will beexplained with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 shows a table ofselection candidates of the environment set function. In the environmentsetting, one of a “display density”, a “print density”, a “saved valuerestoration”, a “saved value setting”, and a “priority display” in thefirst hierarchy can be selected. As the former four options are notrelevant to the invention, explanations therefor are omitted. In termsof the environment setting, the last selected candidates (the candidatesread out from the last selected candidate store region 121) aredisplayed preferentially in the first and the second hierarchies, andthe specific candidates (the default value showed on the top rank ineach of the selection candidate groups) are displayed preferentially inor below the third hierarchy. When a temporary setting operation isperformed in or below the third hierarchy and the second hierarchy isdisplayed again, a next candidate of the selected candidate is displayedpreferentially. Details are described later.

As shown in the table of FIG. 7, for example, when the selectioncandidate “priority display” is selected in the first hierarchy, theedit mode (the normal edit mode or the cable edit mode) can be selectedin the lower hierarchy (the second hierarchy). In the lower hierarchy(the third hierarchy) thereof, the edit item can be selected. In thelower hierarchy (the fourth hierarchy) thereof, the priority displaytype (a priority display variable type displaying the last selectedcandidate preferentially, or a priority display fixed type displayingthe specific candidate preferentially) can be selected. In the lowerhierarchy (the fifth hierarchy) thereof, “the specific candidate” in thepriority display fixed type can be selected.

A priority display setting operation will be explained concretely withreference to FIG. 8. In the normal edit screen 41 a (D11), when theenvironment key 33 is depressed, an environment set screen is displayed(D12). Screens shown in D13-D18 are also environment set screens. Theenvironment set screen can be displayed from the cable edit screen 41 bwith the same operation.

In the environment set screen in D12, a title “environment” is displayedat an upper left side in the screen and the candidate “display density”on the top rank in the first hierarchy is highlighted at an upper rightside in the screen. When the down (↓) key 35 is depressed four times,the candidate “priority display” is displayed blinkingly (D13). Then,when the return key 36 is depressed, the title “priority” is displayedat the upper left side in the screen, and the candidate “normal” on thetop rank in the second hierarchy belonging to the candidate “prioritydisplay” is highlighted at the upper right side in the screen (D14). The“normal” refers to the normal edit mode.

When the return key 36 is depressed in the state of D14, the candidate“symbol A” on the top rank in the third hierarchy belonging to thecandidate “normal” is highlighted (D15), and the return key 36 isdepressed again, the candidate “not fix” on the top rank in the fourthhierarchy belonging to the candidate “symbol A” is highlighted (D16).The “not fix” refers to the priority display variable type. Then, whenthe return key 36 is depressed, a temporary setting is made such that“the last selected candidate is preferentially displayed when the edititem “symbol A” is selected in the normal edit mode”. The temporarysetting is set formally when the selection candidate “end?” is selected.The display screen 41 returns to the upper hierarchy and the secondselection candidate “symbol B” in the third hierarchy is displayedblinkingly (D17). So, the selection candidate changes to the nextcandidate in the third hierarchy because the temporary setting hasalready been made.

When the down (↓) key 35 is once depressed in the state of D17, thethird selection candidate “bar code” in the third hierarchy is displayedblinkingly (D18). If the “cable” in the second hierarchy is selected,only the selection candidates “symbol A” and “symbol B” are displayed inthe third hierarchy, and the selection candidate “bar code” can not beselected. When the return key 36 is depressed in the state of D18, thetitle “bar” (an abbreviation of the bar code) is displayed at the upperleft side in the screen and the candidate “not fix” on the top rank inthe fourth hierarchy is highlighted at the upper right side in thescreen (D19). When the down (↓) key 35 is once depressed, the secondcandidate “fix” in the fourth hierarchy is displayed blinkingly (D20).The “fix” refers to the priority display fixed type. In this state, whenthe return key 36 is depressed, the candidate “CODE 128” on the top rankin the fifth hierarchy is highlighted (D21). When the return key 36 isdepressed again, a temporary setting is made in which “the specificcandidate “CODE 128” is preferentially displayed when the edit item “barcode” is selected in the normal edit mode”. The display screen 41returns to the upper hierarchy (the third hierarchy) and the selectioncandidate “symbol A” as the next candidate of the selection candidate“bar code” is displayed blinkingly because the temporary setting hasalready been made.

In the state of D22, when the escape key is once depressed, the processreturns from the third hierarchy to the second hierarchy, thereby the“normal” which is the selection candidate just before entering to thethird hierarchy is highlighted (D23). When the down (↓) key 35 is oncedepressed, the second candidate “cable” in the second hierarchy isdisplayed blinkingly (D24). The “cable” refers to the cable edit mode.When the return key 36 is depressed, the title “ca” (an abbreviation ofthe cable edit mode) is displayed at the upper left side in the screenand the candidate “symbol A” on the top rank in the third hierarchy ishighlighted at the upper right side in the screen (D25).

In the state of D 25, when the escape key is once depressed, the processreturns from the third hierarchy to the second hierarchy, and then, theselection candidate “cable” just before entering in the third hierarchyis displayed blinkingly (D26). Further, the escape key is depressed inthis state, the selection candidate “priority display” just beforeentering in the second hierarchy is displayed blinkingly (D 27). Then,when the down (↓) key 35 is once depressed, the last candidate “end?” inthe first hierarchy is displayed blinkingly (D 28), and when the returnkey 36 is depressed, the normal display screen 41 a is displayed (D 29).The formal setting of the content in the temporary setting is made witha depression of the return key 36 (“end?” has been selected). In otherwords, the content of the priority display setting which has been settemporarily is formally written in a given region (not shown) storing anenvironment setting value in the RAM 120.

As explained above, the tape printing apparatus 1 according to theembodiment determines which the priority display of the last selectedcandidates in selection candidate groups or the specific candidatesshould be made per edit content (edit screen, edit mode) in at least thedefault setting state. So, in a case that a possibility in which thespecific candidate is selected is high, the specific candidate isdisplayed preferentially regardless of the last selected candidate,thereby it is possible to quickly select a desired candidate among theplurality of select candidates.

Further, it is possible to enhance convenience because the prioritydisplay type can be customized per edit mode (edit screen) or edit itemwith the environment setting according to the user's needs.

In the above embodiment, the last selected candidate is stored in thelast selected candidate store region 121 per selection candidate group,but it is also possible to store by edit mode. For example, in the aboveembodiment, the last selected candidate is stored per selectioncandidate group. Therefore, when a candidate “Latin America” is selectedamong the selection candidate groups belonging to the edit item “symbolA” in the cable edit mode, and then the edit item “symbol A” is openedin the normal edit mode, the candidate “Latin America” is preferentiallydisplayed. On the other hand, in a case that the last selected candidateis stored by edit mode, when the “Greek” in the edit item “symbol A” isselected in the cable edit mode, and then the “Latin America” in theedit item “symbol A” is selected in the normal edit mode, and furtherthe edit item “symbol A” is opened in the cable edit mode, the lastselected candidate “Greek” in the cable edit mode is preferentiallydisplayed. It may be possible to let the user select whether the lastselected candidates are stored by edit mode.

In the embodiment above, the priority display type is set for theselection candidate groups in the first hierarchy of the edit function.It is also possible to set the priority display type for the selectioncandidate groups in or below the second hierarchy.

In the embodiment above, two edit screens 41, one is the normal editscreen 41 a and the other is the cable edit screen 41 b, areexemplified. It may be possible to display equal to or more than threeedit screens (edit modes) to be selected. The premise is that each ofthe edit screens 41 has at least different edit condition from oneanother.

In the embodiment above, the cable edit screen 41 b has limitations forthe number of lines and characters to be input compared with those ofthe normal edit screen 41 a, but the limitations may be cancelled orchanged by the user. A new edit screen may be formed other than thenormal edit screen 41 a and the cable edit screen 41 b, and the user mayset edit conditions (limitation contents for the number of inputcharacters and the edit function) for a new edit screen.

In the embodiment above, the input functions for the symbol and the barcode as edit function are exemplified, but other edit functions can beapplied with the invention. For example, in a case of editing such ascharacter mode (typeface, decorated character, character enclosure,character interval), paragraph style (vertical writing/horizontalwriting, character size, layout, outline box/listing), document form(fixed length printing, background pattern printing, margin) or thelike, the priority display type may be set per selection candidatesgroup.

In the embodiment above, the selection candidate group is displayed on ascreen different from each of the edit screens (the edit screen transitsfrom the edit screen to the select screen with the depression of edititem keys 32 a, 32 b or 32 c), but the selection candidate group may bedisplayed on each of the edit screens, which means a part of the editscreen may be used as select screen.

In the embodiment above, the selection of the edit item is performedwith the edit item keys 32 a, 32 b and 32 c provided per item, but itmay be possible that only one exclusive key is provided for selectingthe edit item and the selection of the edit item is made on the selectscreen displayed by the depression of the exclusive key. In terms ofswitching for the edit mode, it may be also possible that the edit modeis selected from a plurality of selection candidates displayed in a modeselect screen, rather than by the depression of the cable key 31.

In the embodiment above, that the cable label forming apparatus of theinvention is applied to the tape printing apparatus 1 is exemplified,but it can be applied to any of electronic apparatuses (for example, apersonal computer, etc) which display the selection candidate groups orwith which the candidate selection operation is made.

All of the “plurality of selection candidates” in claims may bedisplayed simultaneously or these may be divided and displayed on thescreen. For example, in the former case (all of the plurality ofselection candidates are displayed on the screen), it is possible todisplay one of the plurality of candidates on a priority basis bydisplaying it on the top rank or highlighting (inverting, blinking, etc)it. In the latter case (for example, only one selection candidate isdisplayed on the screen because of the limitation of the screen size,etc), it is possible to display on a priority basis one of the pluralityof selection candidates at the start on the screen.

The priority display with the “selection candidate display device (theselection candidate displaying)” is directed to a priority displaymethod at least in the default setting state and does not prohibit asetting change of the priority display method of the environmentsettings in the embodiment above.

In the embodiment above, it is exemplified that the edit screen 41transits to the select screen displayed with the plurality of selectioncandidates when the edit item key 32 is depressed (see FIG. 8), but itmay be possible to display the plurality of selection candidates on theedit screen 41, which means that the part of the edit screen 41 may beused as select screen.

Also, it may be possible to provide each of the components of the tapeprinting apparatus 1 in the embodiment above as a program. Further, itmay be possible to provide the program stored in various recording media(a CD-ROM, a flash memory, etc). In other words, the claimed inventionincludes a program with which a computer functions as each of thedevices of the tape printing apparatus 1 and a recording medium in whichthe program is stored. It may be possible to modify the inventionappropriately without departing from the scope thereof.

1. A cable label forming apparatus comprising: an edit screen displaydevice which displays either one of a normal edit screen and a cablelabel forming edit screen for a label which is adhered to a cable andhaving an edit condition different from that of the normal edit screen;a selection candidate display instructing device which instructsdisplaying a plurality of selection candidates for performing at leastone of a function selection and an input information selection in eachof the edit screens; and a selection candidate display device whichdisplays the plurality of selection candidates according to theinstruction of the selection candidate display instructing device;wherein the selection candidate display device displays a last selectedcandidate among the plurality of selection candidates on a prioritybasis in the normal edit screen when displaying the plurality ofselection candidates is instructed, and displays a specific candidateamong the plurality of selection candidates on a priority basis in thecable label forming edit screen when displaying the plurality ofselection candidates is instructed. 2-9. (canceled)